Hariyali Teez : The First Fasting Festival in Shravana Maas for a Husband’s long life

Hariyali Teez : The First Fasting Festival in Shravana Maas for a Husband’s long life

Hariyali Teez : The First Fasting Festival in Shravana Maas for a Husband’s long life

In Hinduism, every single married woman observes an austere Fast on the day of Hariyali Teej for the long-lives of their dear husbands. It is one of the fasting festive ceremonies, stated in Hindu panchang (Hindu Calendar) for getting marital bliss and great ecstasy by worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess-Parvati.

According to Gregorian calendar & Hindu Calendar, Haryali Teej is toasted on Shukla Paksha Tritiya -third day of the first bright- fortnight (15th) of Shravana Maas or Saawan month and Bhadrapada (Bhado).

Traditionally, as per Hindu Calendar (Hindu-Panchang), Haryali Teej is observed in between July and August month among Hindu Married- women and thus celebrated with much devotion and fervour in the Indian- States of North-India including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Hariyali Teez is well- known with the name- Chhoti Teez or Shravana Teez and exalted as shravan somvar festival.

Know How Indian Women adorn themselves on this frondescence day-:

The beautiful ladies throng in a flock to celebrate this one-day festivity- Haryali Teej for the welfare, happiness and prosperity of their spouses (men). Keeping a traditional fast (shravan somvar) on this religious festival (Haryali Teej) is a kind of homage and honour; they pay to the great divinities. They embellish themselves in eye-catching religious attires such as- suits, traditional dresses, lehenga- chunri and saris. Sometimes, they visit their parents’ home during Sawan month.

Solah Shringar: Married women have been gifted numerous Shringaar or make up articles and even Solah Shringaar items by her in-laws during fasting festivity- shravan somvarwhich includes jewelleries (gold, silver), Kumkum (Vermilion), Heena (Mehendi), Forehead Bindi, Green and Red Bangles, and Red- Joda (sari, blouse piece and more).

Sindhara:  A beautiful and decorated basket full of gifts and presents is delivered to the daughter and her in-laws by her guardians (parents) which is sated as Sindhara. It holds a large varieties of sweetmeats and home-cuisines including Ghewar (a traditional dish) and numerous make-up things etc. Since then, the name- Sindhara Teej is established.

The wide- celebration (Hariyali Teej) of the victory of a wife’s tenderness and affection:

A wife always thinks about the prosperity and opulence of her husband. She performs various rituals and occasionally observes strict fasts for their long-lives. A stern fast is kept by Indian females to cherish their togetherness and endearment on the fest of Hariyali Teez. This is a fasting festival to commemorate the fondness and love towards husbands in a most quirky manner.

The Historical significance of this love festival- Hariyali Teej on – shravan somvar:

Shiva Purana reveals:  Once adorable Goddess Parvati endured a severe and stony meditation to unveil her love and devotion towards Lord Shiva. Shrawana Maas Teez (shravan somvar) or Hariyali Teej is a day when Shiva was born and reborn on earth 108 times before he accepted Parvati as his beloved partner. After this commitment, Parvati vowed and promised every women who so ever call her in prayer as a witness will be endowed with divine favour and protection. It is celebrated with much devotion in 12 Jyotirling.

The power of colour-Green:

The word “Hariyali” is “greenery” that is an indication of growth and prosperity. During this holy observance- Hariyali Teej, Green color plays a very sublime role peculiarly in North India and Punjab. As a custom, they believe in wearing green bangles since it showcases the lively nature and welcomes the season of lush green freshness in a much exotic way.

Swinging (Jhulas): One of the lively-part of the rituals:

Hariyali Teej lively celebration embraces of various enjoyable activities such as- applying Heena (Mehendi) dancing, singing and swinging.

Swinging is a part of jollifications where women form a horde in an open place and tie knots from the ropes either side of the trees with different decorated swing end to commemorate the gaiety. They enjoy sitting on the swings (jhulas) decked with flowers and stems around. Government organises distinguished fair (mela) in all parts of the country to celebrate this verdure festivity. Therefore it is also well-known as Jhulan Utsava (Festival) in North-Indian states and ‘Jhulan Leela’ or ‘Hindola Utsav’ which is associated with Lord Krishna and his splendid- partner Radha.

Nirjala Vrat- A tradition to fast the whole day without food and water:

Married women observe one-day long Nirjala Vrat and visit one of the jyotirling temples without consuming food and even a single drop of water, the whole-day. They take foods, one evening before, to the festival and keep a fast on the main festive day on Shravan somvar. A Vrat Katha is read by old-ladies and girls of the family who sit on the enclosing boundary, surrounding the foremost women in the centre.

The entire day of Hariyali Teej, women do not devour even a single bite of food hence; the old-aged peeps stated this as one of the strict fasts in Hindu Religion. Once the day is over, the women worship moon followed by some specific rituals in the evening. They consume drinking water and take healthy food along with some sweetmeats to break the fast.

Exotic- season of monsoons lies in between the months- July to August when umpteen Hindu festivals and occasions are exalted India, as per Hindu customs. Hariyali Teez celebrates the re-unification of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva as on this divine day, Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his better half (wife). Being an important tradition in Hinduism, it indicates victory of the re-union of Lord- Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is thus celebrated with immense gusto world-wide.